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Happiness News: How a Jalapeno Pepper Can Cheer You Up (Really)

If you've had a bad week, go out for Mexican tonight, and load up on the hot sauce. Here's why it could cheer you up, say experts...

What makes you happy? Someone I follow on Twitter just tweeted: "Happiness is a freshly washed basset hound." Whether it's a clean pooch or not, most people can get a boost feel-good hormones from an unlikely source: jalapeno peppers.

According to this article, hot peppers contain the compound capsaicin, which, yes, triggers pain receptors in your mouth. But, that pain prods your brain to release a flood of feel-good endorphins to get you through it. It may be why people are hooked on spicy food (I'll have to ask my husband about this because he can't eat a single meal unless it's spicy!)

So fascinating, right?

Have you seen a correlation between spicy food and your mood improving?